Forest Service Proposes Planning Rule, Seeks Comment

The rule provides a collaborative and science-based framework for creating land management plans that would support ecological sustainability and contribute to rural job opportunities.

Feb 16, 2011

The U.S. Department of Agriculture's Forest Service recently unveiled its proposed Forest Planning Rule that would establish a new national framework to develop land management plans that protect water and wildlife and promote vibrant communities.

Forest Service land management plans guide management activities on the 155 National Forests and 20 Grasslands in the National Forest System. The proposed planning rule provides a collaborative and science-based framework for creating land management plans that would support ecological sustainability and contribute to rural job opportunities. The proposed rule includes new provisions to guide forest and watershed restoration and resilience, habitat protection, sustainable recreation, and management for multiple uses of the National Forest System, including timber.

“This proposed planning rule seeks to conserve our forests for the benefit of water, wildlife, recreation, and the economic vitality of our rural communities,” said Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack. “The proposed rule will provide the tools to the Forest Service to make our forests more resilient to many threats, including pests, catastrophic fire, and climate change. Healthy forests and economically strong rural communities form a solid foundation as we work to win the future for the next generation.”

Publication of the proposed planning rule in the Federal Register kicks off a 90-day public comment period, ending May 16. The Forest Service will use comments to develop a final rule. To encourage public engagement, the Forest Service is hosting an open forum to discuss the proposed rule on March 10 in Washington, D.C. and on the Web. Additional public forums are planned. The proposed rule, meeting information, and additional information can be found at www.fs.usda.gov/planningrule.

Highlights of the proposed planning rule include:

A more effective and efficient framework that would allow adaptive land management planning in the face of climate change and other stressors.

Increased requirements for public involvement and collaboration throughout all stages of land management planning.

Improved ability to respond to climate change and other stressors through provisions to restore and maintain healthy and resilient ecosystems.

Increased protections for water resources and watersheds.

More effective and proactive requirements to provide for diverse native plant and animal species.

Provisions to guide the contributions of a National Forest or National Grassland to social and economic sustainability.

Updated provisions for sustainable land, water and air-based recreation.

New requirements for a local and landscape-scale monitoring program that are based on the latest science.

The proposed rule would update planning procedures that have been in place since 1982, creating a modern planning process that reflects the latest science and knowledge of how to create and implement effective land management plans.

To develop the proposed rule, the Forest Service held more than 40 public meetings and roundtables across the country that drew more than 3,000 participants, and hosted a blog to engage the public. Additionally, the Forest Service reviewed more than 26,000 comments on the notice of intent to issue a new planning rule.

The USDA Forest Service manages 193 million acres of forests and grasslands across the country. Drinking water for approximately one in five Americans comes from the National Forest System. American forests, including those in the National Forest System, also capture and store enough carbon every year to offset 11 percent of the nation’s industrial greenhouse gas emissions.